A new court has been established in the Turkish capital city of Ankara to try members of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT), the Hürriyet daily reported on Wednesday.
The Ankara 34th High Criminal Court will in the beginning hear only the cases of MİT officials. A decision will later be made as to whether it can also hear terrorism cases.
The court for MİT employees was to hold its first hearing on Wednesday. The panel of judges will be able to hold some closed door hearings due to the confidential nature of the work performed by the defendants.
Most MİT members who are facing legal proceedings are charged with terrorism due to their alleged links to the Gülen movement.
The Turkish government accuses the Gülen movement of masterminding a failed coup on July 15, 2016 and labels it a “terrorist organization,” although the movement strongly denies involvement in the coup attempt or any terrorist activity.